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<p>The department does not hold the data on the number of parents of children under
four years of age that are in full time education or training.</p><p>In the Spring
Budget 2023, the government announced a number of transformative reforms to childcare
for parents, children and the economy. By 2027/28, the government will expect to be
spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education, helping
working families with their childcare costs. This represents the single biggest investment
in childcare in England ever.</p><p>The announcement included the expansion of the
30 hours free childcare offer, through which eligible working parents in England will
be able to access 30 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks per year from when
their child is 9 months old to when they start school. The key objective of this measure
is to support parental participation in the labour market, which is why the offer
is conditional on work.</p><p>All students, who work in addition to their studies
and earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage,
and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year, will be eligible for this offer.
If they are unable to meet this threshold, they will remain eligible for the universal
15 hours of free early education, which is available to all 3- and 4-year-olds regardless
of family circumstances.</p><p>The department recognises the value of parents continuing
in education and provides a range of support for students in further or higher education
(HE) to support them with childcare.</p><p>Eligible undergraduate students attending
full-time HE courses qualify for fee loans to meet the full costs of their tuition
and partially means-tested loans as a contribution towards their living costs.</p><p>Additional
support is provided for full-time students with dependent children. This support includes
the Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance which are based on a student’s
household income.</p><p>The Childcare Grant is available for parents in HE undertaking
a full-time undergraduate course and is paid to help with weekly childcare costs.
The amount of childcare grant payable in 2023/24 will be based on 85% of actual childcare
costs, subject to a maximum grant of £188.90 per week for one child only or £323.85
per week for two or more children. The Parents’ Learning Allowance is for full-time
undergraduate students with one or more dependent children. For the 2023/24 academic
year, students could receive up to £1,915 a year depending on household income. Students
whose household incomes are £39,796 or less qualify for the full Childcare Grant and
Parents Learning Allowance applied for.</p><p>In addition to the standard student
support package set out above, eligible nursing, midwifery and allied health profession
students receive a non-repayable training grant of a minimum of £5,000 per academic
year. Eligible students with child dependants can also access a further £2,000 per
academic year.</p>
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